Jerusalem witnessed a tense moment on Saturday morning as explosions and sirens echoed throughout the city, signaling the interception of a projectile launched from Yemen. The Israeli military confirmed the incident, stating that the projectile, fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels, was intercepted before it could cause any significant damage.

The sirens were first heard around 10:20 AM local time (08:20 GMT) in central Israel, followed by explosions over Jerusalem. This came shortly after Qatar, a key mediator between Israel and Hamas, announced that a ceasefire in Gaza would take effect on Sunday at 06:30 GMT.

The Huthi rebels have been active participants in the conflict since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, frequently launching missile and drone attacks on Israel. These actions are part of the rebels’ alignment with Iran’s “axis of resistance,” which has been vocal in its support for the Palestinians. In addition to targeting Israel, the Huthis have attacked commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.

On Friday, the Huthi rebels warned Israel that they would continue their attacks unless the country respected the terms of the ceasefire with Hamas. Israel has responded to these ongoing attacks with airstrikes, targeting Huthi positions in Yemen, including those in the capital, Sanaa.

The situation remains volatile, with tensions continuing to escalate as various actors in the region pursue their respective agendas.

Sources By Agencies